By LINDSAY SMAIL
AVERAGE to above-average rain was recorded across most of the region in July.
Bureau of Meteorology figures for Geelong were compromised by a gauge malfunction at its Breakwater weather station on three days. However, Geelong Weather Services patched those figures to determine a total of 40.4mm for the month.
The urban area average was 44mm compared to the latest 30-year average of 43.5mm.
Despite warnings of a dry spring, the Indian Ocean dipole shows warmer waters at the moment, which often trumps the drought effects of the El Nino on Geelong.
July’s rain result left the region’s water storages just under 59 per cent of capacity at the end of the month, slightly up on the end of June but around 22 per cent lower than the same time last year.
As for monthly temperatures, Geelong was .4C colder than its 30-year average for July.
The lowest overnight minimum was minus 1.4 C and three frosts were recorded for the month.
The warmest day was 17.2 C on 24 July. The 14th and 26th were the equal coldest days of the month, with maximums of only 10.1C on each day.
Only one strong-wind day was recorded for the month, with 65km/h at Breakwater on 26 July.
The month also had two thunder days but no severe storms.
A thick fog descended on 8 July, with snow falling at Otways Ridge the same day.
· Lindsay Smail operates Geelong Weather Services, phone 5241 5332.
